is salt watter itch the same as fresh watter itch?

Answer 1

They are caused by different parasites. Freshwater ich, ick, or whitespot (depending on where you're from) is caused by Ichthyophthirius multifilis and saltwater ich, ick, or whitespot is caused by Cryptocaryon irritans. The life cycle and treatments of these are similar.

Both can be treated with malachite green and/or formalin (as can a lot of other parasites), but these medications can be hard on the fish, and they kill invertebrates in the tank. They can also be treated by changing the salinity the fish are in. For freshwater fish, you add salt and for saltwater fish, you add water. This change in the amount of salt, if done correctly, affects the parasites more than the fish and the parasite will be killed. Some fish are sensitive to added salt, though.

Another way to increase the effectiveness of either treatment is to raise the water temperature of the tank. This speeds up the life cycle of the parasite, so it can drop off the fish and be killed faster. Slight changes in temperature will speed up the development, temps around 86oF prevent reproduction, and temps around 90oF can actually kill. This temperature might be too high for some coldwater fish, but most can tolerate this for a few weeks as long as the aeration is increased to make up for less dissolved oxygen in the water.

Here's more about ich if you care to read it.

Freshwater:
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/ich.shtml
http://www.aces.edu/dept/fisheries/aquaculture/pdf/476fs.pdf

Saltwater:
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyummy42/ich.html
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichartmar.htm

EDIT: Evidently another answerer didn't read the user agreement of the saltwateraquarium.about website - they require written permission to reproduce their material. If you would care to read the article, here it is: http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/ichparasiticdiseases/a/aa_cryptocaryon.htm - there are links to other diseases and treatments as well.

And if you read this link from the website hosted by Robert Fenner (marine scientist and author, Kick Ich is listed as one of the "non-cures": http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cryptnoncures.htm

Answer 2

I dissagree with copperhead on the treatment of saltwater ich. It is the same general family as ich but slightly different parasite.

Cryptocaryoniasis, White Spot Disease or Marine Ich is caused by an infestation of the ciliated protozoan Cryptocaryon irritans. Although Cryptocaryon becomes a parasitic organism at one stage in its life cycle like Oodinium and Brooklynella do, and it progesses less rapidly than these other ich diseases, in a closed aquarium system it can reach overwhelming and disasterous numbers just the same if it is not diagnosed and treated upon recognition.

Unlike Oodinium and Brooklynella that typically attack the gills first, which allows these ich diseases to advance into life-threatening levels quickly as they go unnoticed, Cryptocaryon usually appears at the onset as salt-sized white spots visible on the body and fins of a host fish, and when the organisms become parasitic, it is then that they move inwards to the gills. Because crypto is more easily recognized in its beginning stage, this makes it much easier to treat and cure before it gets out of control.

Aside from the appearance of the white spots, fish will scratch against objects in an attempt to dislodge the parasites, and rapid respiration develops as tomonts, mucus, and tissue debris clogs the gills. Fish become listless, refuse to eat, loss of color occurs in patches or blotches as the trophonts destroy the pigment cells, and secondary bacterial infections invade the lesions caused by the trophonts.

Although copper is very effective on Oodinium, and it works well to eliminate crypto organisms in their free-swimming tomite stage, it is not as effective on the Cryptocaryon trophonts that burrow deeply into the tissues of fish. A combination of freshwater and formalin treatments adminstered by means of dips, baths, and prolonged treatment over a period of time in a QT is recommended

There are only a few items I would recomend using for salt water ich and they are from Ruby Reef. Kick-Ich is saltwater safe for all creatuers in your tank. Using other items as was mentioned even copper additives can and will kill many saltwater creatures.

Answer 3

as in itch do you mean ich? the parasite that causes white spots and rubbing? if so no its not exactly the same but similar and can be killed in the same ways but you have to watch because in freshwater you can add it to you main tank with little effects but in saltwater the meds will kill any inverts that may be in there along with live rock. there are many meds that suggest that they are safe but none are and if they are they don't work on ich. not sure if this is what you looking for but if you have anymore questions feel free to message me.